A SCHEME which allows residents to check whether people in regular contact with children are registered sex offenders was introduced in Cheshire on Friday.

The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, which allows people to apply for disclosure of information regarding child sex offenders, is seen as a major step forward in safeguarding children.

It allows parents, guardians, carers and interested third parties to submit applications to the police about anyone in the force area who has contact with a child.

Interested third parties can be anyone who has an interest in a child’s protection such as a grandparent, neighbour or friend.

But, says Detective Chief Inspector Giles Orton from Strategic Public Protection at Cheshire police, it is not a means of ‘snooping on neighbours’.

“This is a scheme which first and foremost is intended to protect children from harm, it is not in place so people can snoop on their neighbours,” said DCI Orton.

He said for the police to reveal whether someone is a registered sex offender, three criteria have to be met.

Firstly, the person inquired about is a registered sex offender; secondly, that the person is in contact with the child and, thirdly, an assessment is made by the relevant authority that the subject of the application poses a risk to that child.

DCI Orton explained: “It could be that a single woman has a new partner moving into the house and they want to safeguard a child’s welfare. They don’t have to have any suspicion, they might just want peace of mind.”

Once an application has been submitted the police will assess it and, if appropriate, can disclose information about a person’s previous convictions for sexual offences against children, or for other offences or information that would indicate they pose risk of harm to a child.

If information is disclosed, this will be in confidence and to the person best placed to protect the child.

This means such information could not be shared with anyone else.

Anyone who did pass on such details could be prosecuted as if it became commonplace it could lead to vigilantism and drive the paedophile underground.

DCI Orton said: “We are going to make the disclosure to the person best placed to protect the child.”

He said this meant if a grandparent made an inquiry about a person in contact with their grandchild, if there was a need to disclose then that information would probably go to the parent – unless the grandparent was the person best placed to protect the child.

He added: “Just because we haven’t made a disclosure doesn’t mean that individual doesn’t pose a risk to the child, it just means we’ve got nothing on them.

“You have to make your own judgement – 80% of all crimes of this nature are committed by somebody that’s known to the victim.”

Cheshire police is the only North West force and one of only 24 in the country to be running the scheme at the moment.

Over the last few months Cheshire Constabulary has been preparing for last week’s launch by examining results and feedback from the forces already piloting the scheme.

DCI Orton said: “Our duty is to protect children and I am sure this will open up dialogue with the community, so it’s a very positive thing. It’s still obviously a pilot scheme which runs to April next year.”

He added: “A key element of policing today is the safeguarding of children and the introduction of the scheme will empower parents, guardians and carers, ensuring that we provide the safest possible environments for our children to grow up in.”

If somebody wishes to apply to the scheme for disclosure, they should contact Cheshire police on 0845 4580000 where an appointment with an officer will be arranged.